On March 5 2015, Harness Racing New South Wales opened an inquiry into the lodging of an official “Authority to Nominate and Transfer Horse in Claiming Races” form for Iconic Art prior to that horse racing at Bathurst on February 20 2015.
Evidence was taken from HRNSW Integrity Officer, Michael Prentice, which included audio evidence of interviews conducted on February 20 2015 with trainer Mr Bruce Birch and the registered owner of Iconic Art, Philip Morison, together with copies of the “Authority to Nominate & Transfer Horse in Claiming Races” form for Iconic Art and a copy of the recorded signature of Morison provided on other transfer documents held by HRNSW.
Birch also gave additional evidence.
It was established Birch was responsible for the lodgement of the “Authority to Nominate & Transfer Horse in Claiming Races” form for Iconic Art with HRNSW, containing the incorrect signature and details of the registered owner Morison.
It was further established Birch gave false and misleading evidence to Prentice during an official interview on February 20 2015.
Birch pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Pursuant to Rule 209, that he knowingly furnished to HRNSW a false document to HRNSW Pursuant to Rule 187 (2), that during an official interview with HRNSW Integrity Officer, Prentice he gave false and misleading.
Mr Birch was fined $2000 on each charge.
In considering penalty stewards were mindful the owner Morison had authorised the horse to be entered into a claiming race, Birch’s previous record and that he further gave false and misleading evidence to the stewards during the course of this inquiry.
HRNSW has also issued charges against owner Morison pursuant to Rule 187(2) and Rule 239A via writing and are awaiting his reply.
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HRNSW Media